DIY

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: A Step by Step Guide in 2024

by: Kelsey Opel

Published on Jul 4th 2024

Are you wondering how to paint kitchen cabinets for beginners? Maybe you’re feeling creative or looking to save money. Painting kitchen cabinets for beginners is one of the best DIY projects at home.

Before you consider hiring someone, consider taking on this fun project yourself.

According to Forbes, hiring professional painters to upgrade your kitchen can cost as much as $2,500, while learning how to paint kitchen cabinets can cost around $200.

In other words, discovering how to paint kitchen cabinets can be an excellent way to save money when renovating the kitchen.

Whether you’re upgrading your whole kitchen or just looking to elevate your style, this guide will give you a better idea of how to paint kitchen cabinets professionally.

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How to Start With DIY Home Decoration
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets for Beginners

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How to Start With DIY Home Decoration

Learn to Paint

The best way to learn how to paint kitchen cabinets is to get comfortable with painting. As one of the best gifts for crafters, art classes will have a professional artist who will guide you step by step through a fun DIY project.

From creating cute ornaments for DIY Christmas decorations to taking paint and sip classes, art classes are an excellent way to engage your creativity and level up your skills. Finding art classes in Atlanta, art classes in Miami, art classes in Portland or even online art classes can be a great first step in discovering how to paint kitchen cabinets to elevate the style in your home.

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How to Choose the Best Paint for Your Kitchen Cabinets

Select the Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Learning how to paint kitchen cabinets is one of the best DIY home décor projects. But for the project to be a success, you’ll want to make sure to buy the best quality paint.

So, what kind of paint should you use on kitchen cabinets? Fortunately, it’s super easy to find specialized cabinet paint from your local hardware store.

Regardless, make sure the paint is acrylic, not vinyl. Acrylic paint is far easier to clean up if you make any extra mess around your space!

Determine if You Need a Primer

Can you just paint over your kitchen cabinets? Sometimes. But most of the time you’ll want to apply a primer before adding the paint.

You’ll also need to sand the cabinets before applying primer. If you’re trying to figure out how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards, you’ll want to add a special bonding primer to get the new paint to stick better. This will provide longevity on your beautiful cabinets for years to come.

Consider the Finish

The next step in determining how to paint kitchen cabinets is to think about how you want the finish to appear. Would you like a glossy finish, a matte finish or somewhere in between?

Imagine how you want the cabinets to look and feel each time you’re in the kitchen. Are you still wondering if it’s a mistake to paint your own kitchen cabinets? Don’t fear!

Even if you paint your kitchen cabinets black, upgrading old cabinets is an excellent way to breathe new life into your kitchen.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets for Beginners

Review Your Current Cabinets

Examine your current kitchen cabinets. Do they have a lot of wear and tear or are they still in good shape? Before you learn how to paint your kitchen cabinets, it’s best to determine if you’re better off replacing them.

If you’re trying to learn how to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding, the best way to tell is if the current paint is in great condition and if you plan on painting the cabinets a darker color. Otherwise, you’ll want to prepare the cabinet surfaces before painting.

how to paint kitchen cabinets - inspection — *via Canva*

Gather Your Supplies

Having the right supplies will ensure this project is super easy when painting kitchen cabinets for beginners. To get started, you’ll need painter’s tape, a heavy-duty degreaser for cleaning, liquid or fine grit sandpaper, primer, paint and your application tools, such as a brush or roller. Also, remember to lay down builder’s paper or plastic tarps to protect the floor and furniture from any paint splatters that could happen during your project.

Remove the Doors and Equipment

The best way to paint your kitchen cabinets is to remove them from the walls and lay them on a flat surface for easier access. Use a drill to remove the hinges, doors, drawers and all hardware. If you plan on only painting the doors and not the entire cabinet, you can leave the cabinet in place.

Otherwise, remember which door goes with each cabinet. Not all cabinets are the same shapes and sizes and staying organized during your DIY project will help when putting the cabinets back together.

Prepare the Cabinet Surface

Next, clean and degrease your cabinets for an easier painting process. Sand the surface before applying the primer to help the paint stick to your cabinets. You can also purchase liquid sandpaper, which will help clean and degrease your cabinets.

This product can save a lot of time and effort when sanding your cabinets. When learning how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards, you’ll want to sand and then apply a stronger primer to help the paint stick to the surface better.

Choose Your Style

Upgrading your kitchen cabinets is the perfect DIY fall decor project. Find the perfect shade and gloss to add a new style to your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for your cabinets to pop or blend into the kitchen, painting your cupboards is a great way to elevate your space.

Apply Primer and Paint Color

Finally, after you’ve finished sanding the cabinets, you’ll want to add primer and paint. Depending on the cabinet surface and paint color, you might want a stronger quality primer for better adhesion.

After the primer dries, paint your cabinets your desired color. If you’re learning how to paint kitchen cabinets black, use a strong primer and add several layers of black paint for a firmer color hold.

Reassemble Kitchen Cabinets

After allowing the paint to dry for at least 24 hours, it’s time to put your kitchen cabinets back where they belong! Use a drill to place your cabinets back and realign the proper doors with their cupboards. Consider adding new handles or knobs to contrast or round out the new style of your cabinets.

From selecting the best paint for kitchen cabinets to priming and sanding your cabinets, learning how to paint kitchen cabinets professionally can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. Not to mention, doing this project on your own is an excellent way to upgrade your space and save money in the process.

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